Suspension system for glider exercise device

Abstract

A glider device includes a pair of swingably mounted foot platforms pivotally supported by links at their heel ends. A spring cage, in one embodiment, includes a tension spring in each link to resiliently support the heel end of the foot platform. The spring cage limits displacement of the tension spring and includes a compression spring that cushions the displacement of the tension spring. In the a second, preferred embodiment, a stack of rubber bushings is supported in the spring cage and compress and decompress to provide a cushioning action to the foot platform.

1. A glider exercise machine comprising:
 a frame; 
 a foot platform; 
 a link coupled between a pivot on said frame and a pivot on said foot platform for swingably supporting said foot platform from said frame; 
 a shock absorbing arrangement in said link, said shock absorbing arrangement comprising a rubber spring and further including; 
 a spring case coupled to one of said pivots; and 
 said rubber spring being coupled to the other of said pivots, wherein said rubber spring comprises a plurality of rubber bushings and a plurality of spacers interposed between said rubber bushings. 
 
     
     
       2. The exercise machine of  claim 1 , wherein the arrangement of said spring cage and said rubber spring establishes a variably sized pinch space; and the machine further comprises a pinch guard on an end of said rubber spring for preventing inadvertent access to said pinch space. 
     
     
       3. A glider exercise machine comprising:
 a frame having rear pivots; 
 a pair of foot platforms having heel end pivots; 
 a pair of links coupled between said rear pivots and said heel end pivots for swingably supporting said pair of foot platforms from said frame; each of said links including: 
 a spring cage coupled to said rear pivot, said spring cage including an orifice through which said link freely passes; and 
 a rubber spring arrangement coupled between said spring cage and said heel end pivot, wherein said rubber spring arrangement comprises a plurality of rubber bushings and a plurality of spacers interposed between said rubber bushings. 
 
     
     
       4. The exercise machine of  claim 3 , wherein the arrangement of said spring cage and said rubber spring establishes a variably sized pinch space; and the machine further comprises a pinch guard on an end of said rubber spring for preventing inadvertent access to said pinch space.